Decorating Den Interiors is Honored for Excellence by Home Accents Today Magazine

By: Decorating Den Interiors | 13 Shares 178 Reads

July 10, 2012 // Franchising.com // Greensboro, N.C. – Decorating Den Interiors, headquartered in Easton, Md., has been named one of Home Accents Today’s 50 Retail Stars for 2012 by editors of the premier trade magazine for the home accents industry. Decorating Den Interiors, founded in 1969, is the largest home furnishings and interior design company in North America (www.decoratingden.com).

The businesses selected for the Retail Stars list have demonstrated that they operate successfully in their marketing areas, exhibit strength in merchandising, display and/or advertising, and have a positive presence in their local communities. The magazine’s editors chose to extend the honor to both the Decorating Den Interiors franchisor as well as its independent franchisees that operate throughout the U.S. and Canada, and range from small home offices to multi-decorator studios.

“There has never been a tougher time to be an independent retailer, with ongoing competition from chain stores, the increasingly significant role of online retail and the difficult economic climate,” said Jenny Heinzen York, editor in chief, Home Accents Today. “The 2012 Retail Stars have taken on these challenges with a combination of clever entrepreneurship, innovation, merchandising, customer service and marketing. We are delighted to recognize these talented merchants, and, as always, encourage everyone to support their own local businesses.”

Home Accents Today editors focused on independent and family-run retailers, specifically those considered specialty, home accent or home furnishings stores. Members of the industry were invited to suggest stores and retailers were encouraged to submit information describing their businesses. The list, now in its eighth year, was compiled and narrowed down by research analysts and editors of the publication. A business may be named to the list only one time, resulting in 50 first-time honorees each year.

Retail Editor Susan Dickenson said she was impressed with Decorating Den’s history, industry reputation, and its new accessories home-party division. “The Livv! Home Accessories branding and debut catalog, at 36 beautiful pages, are really impressive for a start-up; you can tell there’s a lot of experience and a real understanding of the accessories business behind this project,” Dickenson said. She also noted the endurance of Decorating Den’s annual national decorating contest, now in its 27th year, and the franchise owners’ practice of selecting a national charity to support each year with donations raised through decorating seminars and other events.

The 50 Retail Stars list, sponsored by AmericasMart Atlanta, is published in the May 2012 issue of Home Accents Today. The 25-year-old publication, based in Greensboro, N.C., is owned by Sandow Media.